Addiction

156 articles:
Marijuana
Alcohol
Opioids
Tobacco
by Maddi Dellplain

Telegraph hit job a prime example of how not to report on drug policy

The Telegraph story depicts Vancouver's Downtown Eastside in a way that maximizes the harm done to their most vulnerable sources. But as journalists, we don't need to punch down to do our jobs.
by Neeloufar Grami

Staying ahead of the curve – fentanyl, xylazine and the growing syndemic

Xylazine and other contaminants have made their way into the illicit drug supply complicating overdose response. We cannot afford to sit back and watch what happens.

by Maddi Dellplain

Vaping: A valuable harm reduction tool or a public health concern? Experts weigh in

What is Canada to do about e-cigarettes? Does vaping pose a legitimate public health threat or is it a far safer alternative for those who would otherwise be vulnerable to the known harms of cigarettes?
by Maddi Dellplain

Involuntary drug treatment: ‘Compassionate intervention’ or policy dead end?

Involuntary treatment for substance use is being proposed as a solution to the toxic drug supply crisis in provinces across the country. But do programs like this work?

by Kaden Venugopal

Cautious, compassionate safe supply is good public policy

Safe supply is not a magic bullet to cure our overdose emergency. However, under cautious guidelines, prescriber-based safe supply initiatives have a role to play in saving lives.
by Serena Eagland Corey Ranger Patty Wilson

Fears of exposure to illicit drugs in public places based on politics, not facts

Health-care providers deserve to have a safe workplace, and this includes accurate information about their environmental risks. But the dangers of second-hand inhalation of illicit substances have been highly political rather than rooted in evidence.

by Nilanga Aki Bandara Peter Tiu Sandhita Saha

We must address the dangers of e-cigarettes and dual use

It's time to move beyond oversimplified narratives and confront the complex realities of e-cigarette use.
by Maddi Dellplain

The toxic standards that have shaped coverage of drug use in Canada

While a health crisis has unfolded, newsrooms have had to learn to do better. But the changes in framing haven’t always come fast enough or extended to the workers with lived experience
by John Oyston

Nicotine pouches: Salvation for smokers or temptation for teens?

Instead of being promoted as a smoking cessation tool, nicotine pouches been portrayed by some as an attempt by Big Tobacco to addict a new generation of youth to nicotine, obscuring its life-saving potential.

by Maddi Dellplain

Setting the record straight: Medical experts debunk the biggest myths in their field

These days, it's hard to know what to believe. We polled a panel of health experts on the most pervasive misinformation in their specialty and asked them to set the record straight.
by Rubina Ahmed

‘Cruising down the wellness lane’: Program helps people struggling with addiction, mental illness find work on road to recovery

Supported Employment is a “golden ticket” for those struggling with mental-health challenges and addictions – and is therapeutic for employers and employees alike.

by Sarah Bartnicka

‘Why would I not keep going?’ Month-long sobriety challenges establish healthy habits

Dry January and Sober October could be the start to forming long-term, healthier relationships with alcohol.

by Sammy Chown

Canadian universities are fumbling mental health support for student-athletes

Canadian post-secondary institutions need to step up to the plate to improve mental health services for student-athletes. Fear about legal liabilities cannot continue to override action to support psychological well-being.
by Jayden Battey Peter Zhang

Prescribing community for mental health – lessons from Australia

Without the right combination of medication, housing and community, patients can receive treatment only to find themselves lonely, disconnected, homeless, incarcerated or back in hospital again. Housing communities may offer help.

by Adnan Haider

‘Everything is at stake here’: Startups aim to break addictions to social media

Society depends on our ability to pay sustained attention to what matters – and all of that now hinges on creating a healthier digital environment.
by Ryan Chadwick Jolie Leung Emily Block Larry W. Chambers

Anxiety vs. stress: The right definition will lead to better mental-health care

Conflating stress and anxiety in medical settings can have serious implications for patients. New research on "social prescribing" could pave the way for more effective treatment.

by Rubina Ahmed

‘This place keeps me fed’: Langars coping with surge in users

Much like food banks, across Canada Sikh gurdwaras have been feeding an ever-growing number of people in recent years.

by Sangeetha Nadarajah

Gummies for pain relief? Using cannabis while on prescription drugs risky for seniors

Despite their widespread use, you may want to think twice before giving grandma cannabis gummies for her knee pain.

by Nickrooz Grami

Do doctors know enough about the commercial determinants of health?

Private sector activities have a real impact on people's health. We need to promote healthy cross-industry regulation and scrutinize the role that private interests play in the health-policy arena to help safeguard the health of patients.
by David L. Dawson

Could we have done more? Risk assessment and violence

Risk assessments done by mental health professionals for violent offenders are often highly subjective. But there are better tools we can use to screen perpetrators of violent crimes before release.

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